On this day, October 3, in hip-hop history…

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2004: Hip-hop has often been neglected at mainstream award shows. Hip-hop categories had often been historically neglected during the televised show.  Meanwhile, hip-hop artists rarely get special recognition from their peers or other artists.  However, hip-hop was finally celebrated in the mainstream through VH1 Hip-Hop Honors.  The inaugural show took place on October 3, 2004 and aired on VH1 October 12, 2004. This became an annual event where the old school and the new school met.  The culture of hip-hop and the artists who helped build it were honored, while current artists were also highlighted.

Honorees included many of the early greats of hip hop: DJ Hollywood, Kool Herc, KRS-One, Public Enemy, Run-DMC, Rock Steady Crew, Sugarhill Gang, and 2Pac.  The show also honored the art form of graffiti and the movement that coincided with it. Hosted by Vivica A. Fox, and MC Lyte, the show honored these artists and their work through presentations from celebrities like Diddy, Tracy Morgan, Ice-T, Foxy Brown, and Wyclef Jean.  The show also included performances from some of the honorees performing medleys of their greatest hits.  Sugarhill Gang, performed “Rapper’s Delight” and “Good Times” and Public Enemy performed “Black Steel In The Hour of Chaos,” “Fight The Power,” and “Bring The Noise” with The Beastie Boys and Anthrax.

Since the inaugural show, VH1 has hosted the Hip Hop Honors awards annually from 2004-2010. Other artists that have been honored include The Notorious B.I.G., Wu-Tang Clan, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, and 2 Live Crew.  They also honored the important hip hop films Boyz In The Hood and Wild Style. -Ariana LaBarrie

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